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Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia in older people. The aim of LewyPro is to examine and characterise symptoms and brain changes during the prodromal period of LBD. Earlier diagnosis is important because it facilitates care planning, leads to earlier treatment of cognitive symptoms and enables earlier identification of other symptoms, including parkinsonism.

Lewy Pro is recruiting a group of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prodromal symptoms suggestive of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and following them up annually to assess biomarker changes and clinical course. The initial assessment will include a detailed clinical assessment, a blood sample, a lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid, and a DaTSCAN.

Last Update 21/09/2017

The AMPLE study has been set up to investigate differences and outcomes in those with Lewy body dementia with and without concurrent Alzheimer’s disease/pathology. The principle aim of AMPLE is to undertake amyloid PET imaging in Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) of 80 participants over the age of 60 and investigate the distribution of amyloid burden in LBD relative to AD and controls at baseline. A further aim is to determine the relationship between amyloid levels at baseline, clinical features of the disease, other imaging changes and subsequent clinical course in follow up.

Primary analysis would divide LBD patients into high and low amyloid burden with participants then compared on clinical features with AD-like symptoms and cognitive profiles. Follow up will be completed annually through surveys and clinical examinations.

Last update – 01/02/2017

The ICICLE-PD study aims to accurately characterise two independent cohorts of incident parkinsonism in Newcastle-Gateshead and Cambridgeshire. A key objective is to identify patients who develop Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and the factors that predict its evolution. From this information, a simplified panel of tests that can be used to predict PDD will be established. ICICLE-PD will therefore provide a platform for studies investigating agents designed to help treat this complication of PD. Participants were recruited between June 2009 and March 2012. Longitudinal follow up is on going with assessments in person at 18-month intervals.

Last update: 16/01/2017

In May 2006 a multidisciplinary team in the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University began a major groundbreaking study of the lives of those aged 85 years and older.
The study aimed to:

  • Assess, in great detail, the spectrum of health in the oldest old.
  • Examine the associations of health trajectories and outcomes with biological, clinical and social factors as the cohort ages.
  • Identify factors which contribute to the maintenance of health and independence.
  • Advance understanding of the biological nature of human ageing.

Eligible individuals will be all those who turn 85 during the year 2006 (i.e. born in 1921) and who are registered with a Newcastle or North Tyneside general practice. Participants will be visited in their current residence (own home or institution) by a research nurse at baseline, 18 months and 36 months. The assessment protocol entails a detailed multi-dimensional health assessment together with review of general practice medical records. Participants will be flagged with the NHS Central Register to provide details of the date and cause of death.

Last update: 17/01/2017